Basketball training apparatus for connection to resistance device

ABSTRACT

A basketball rebound training system includes a ball device having an outer surface having thereon basketball indicia including one or more basketball seams and a surface texture of a basketball, and being of an official basketball size. The ball device includes an inner cavity and an anchor system disposed at least partially within the inner cavity of the ball device. An attachment ring is affixed to the anchor system and is further adapted for attachment to a resistance machine to provide rebound training to an athlete when the ball device is pushed or pulled downward. The outer surface may be made of leather or of a synthetic material such as rubber, and has a pebbled texture thereon. The inner cavity may be filled with pressurized air, ambient air, or a solid material.

TECHNICAL FIELD

This invention relates to athletic training devices and relates more particularly to a system for providing realistic resistance training for basketball rebound tasks and the like.

BACKGROUND

The human body responds to stress by adapting and becoming more resistant or resilient to the type of stress experienced. For example, exposure to a certain bacteria or virus will often cause the human body to develop resistance or immunity to the agent in question. Similarly, repeated muscular stress can cause the affected muscles to adapt and become stronger, faster or more resilient depending upon the type of stress applied, assuming that the stress applied does not overtax the muscle's structural integrity.

In practice, the inventor has found that certain burst activities require significant speed and/or strength, but that the exposure to adaptive stress during the activity can be insufficient in duration to efficiently train and adapt the muscles in question. An example of this is the activity of basketball rebounding, wherein the participant leaps and attempts to “pull down” a ball that they or another participant have attempted unsuccessfully to throw into the basketball hoop. The pull down portion of the maneuver would benefit from increased strength and speed, and yet the activity is too short in duration and frequency to efficiently provide significant adaptive stress.

At the same time, there are aspects of the process that are difficult to imitate if the athlete engages in a characteristically different muscle stimulation, e.g., with a weight training set. This is because the strength and speed aspects of the maneuver must be coupled, in the inventor's observation, with the same ball feel that the athlete experiences during the actual maneuver. To date, there has been no system available that provides all aspects needed, in the inventor's observation, for more efficient training.

In closing this section, it should be noted if not otherwise apparent that the invention as protected is defined by the attached claims, regardless of whether the invention as claimed solves one or more of the noted deficiencies. Moreover, it is expressly noted, and should be fully appreciated by the reader, that the foregoing is not intended to be a survey or description of the prior art. Rather, it is a statement of background ideas set forth by the inventors intended to help the reader understand the following detailed description. As such, this background section provides just that—helpful conceptual information, not prior art information.

SUMMARY

In an embodiment, a system is provided for basketball rebound training. The system includes a ball device having an outer surface having thereon basketball indicia including one or more basketball seams and a surface texture of a basketball, and being of an official basketball size. The ball device includes an inner cavity and an anchor system disposed at least partially within the inner cavity of the ball device. An attachment ring is affixed to the anchor system and is further adapted for attachment to a resistance machine to provide rebound training to an athlete when the ball device is pushed or pulled downward.

In an embodiment, the outer surface is made of leather, and may alternatively be made of a synthetic material such as rubber. In any case, the outer surface has a pebbled texture thereon. The inner cavity may be filled with pressurized air, ambient air, or a solid material. Suitable solid materials include, for example, wood, foam, plastic, and fiberglass. The anchor system may extend through the inner cavity to be visible beneath the ball, and may include a bezel or washer under the ball to secure the anchor system.

In another embodiment of the invention, a ball training device is provided including an air-filled ball having an official basketball size. Within this embodiment, an attachment ring is attached to the air-filled ball and the ball includes a basketball-textured outer layer, the basketball-textured outer layer including one or more basketball seams and a basketball surface grain.

In this embodiment, the basketball-textured outer layer may be made of leather or a synthetic material such as rubber. The basketball-textured outer layer grain has a pebbled texture. The ball is filled with either pressurized air or ambient pressure air, although with respect to the latter option, the ball itself will need to be rigid enough in and of itself to withstand the pressure of training.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Other features and advantages of the invention will be appreciated from reading the following detailed description in conjunction with the included drawing figures of which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a resistance device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a detailed cross-section side view of a training ball system according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a ball according to an embodiment of the invention wherein the attachment ring attaches to the ball by threading into one or more internal anchors;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a hollow ball device according to an alternative embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a schematic showing an example deployment and use of the devices shown herein.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The described system pertains to an exercise apparatus for allowing enhanced resistance training for ball rebounding tasks while maintaining the ball handling feel of a basketball. In various embodiments, systems are presented for whole-ball and half-ball devices having various means of attachment and various other structural and configurational aspects. It will be appreciated that these exemplary embodiments of the invention are meant to be explanatory but not limiting.

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of a resistance device in accordance with one embodiment of the invention. As can be seen, the device 100 includes a basketball 100 having the features traditionally associated with a basketball for play use, including seams 101 and a dimpled or otherwise textured synthetic (e.g., rubber) or leather surface 102. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the ball 100 includes an attachment ring 103 for attaching the device to a cable of a resistance machine. For example, the device 100 could be attached via the ring 103 to a tricep or lat pull-down cable of a weight and pulley exercise system, not shown.

As will be discussed in reference to later drawings, the ring 103 may be affixed to the ball 100 in one of any number of ways. However, whatever the attachment mechanism chosen, the structural integrity of the ball 100, the ring 103, and the associated internal and external hardware should be such as to ensure that the entire device remains stable, rigid, and intact when used for resistance training.

FIG. 2 is a detailed cross-section side view of a training ball system 200 according to an embodiment of the invention. In the illustrated embodiment of the invention the ball 200 includes an outer shell 201 and an inner body 202. The outer shell may be a natural or synthetic basketball outer, and may be associated with a bladder or other inner layer if desired. The inner body 202 may be of any suitably rigid and stable material including plastic, hardened foam, such as polyurethane or other foam, wood, honeycomb matrix, fiberglass, etc.

The attachment ring 203 is attached to the ball 200 via a threaded bezel 204, a threaded coupler 205, a threaded rod 206, and a threaded lower bezel or platform 207. In this embodiment, the compressive strength of the inner body 202 ensures the integrity of the device 200 during use. It will be appreciated that the illustrated design has elements such as the coupler 205 that are included for convenience, but that are not required for the success of the concept. Indeed, the internal details of the device may be adapted to fulfill any desired requirement with respect to strength and stability.

FIG. 3 is a cross-sectional view of an alternative embodiment of the invention. In this embodiment, the design contemplates that the user will train by pulling down, hands atop the ball 300. In this context, the bottom of the ball may be omitted as being unnecessary. In addition, providing the device 300 with a flat bottom 301 also ensures that the device may be placed on the floor or other surface without rolling over. The omission of the ball bottom, rendering the device hemispherical, also lessens the amount of space need to store the device. This may be important in clubs, schools, and other environments wherein a large number of devices may be used.

As with the embodiment shown in FIG. 2, the device shown in FIG. 3 includes an attachment ring 302. Although alternative designs may be used, the illustrated embodiment connects the attachment ring 302 securely to the ball 300 via a threaded bezel 303 to stabilize the upper portion of the ball for secure attachment, while a threaded rod extends through the hemisphere and threads into a lower platform or bezel 304.

An alternative means of attachment is shown in the cross-sectional view of FIG. 4. In particular, FIG. 4 is a cross-sectional view of a ball according to an embodiment of the invention wherein the attachment ring 401 attaches to the ball 400 by threading into one or more internal anchors 402. it will be appreciated that the suitability of this attachment system will depend upon the strength of the material of the inner body 403. For example, a solid inner body material will provide greater rigidity and strength than a foam inner body. The weight of various materials may be taken into account as well in selecting a desired internal material.

The structural integrity of the ball according to this embodiment of the invention is provided by the external shell, which may be of rubber, leather etc., and may be reinforced, e.g., by a fiberglass shell or fiberglass cladding, in conjunction with the internal body, which may be either a solid body such as foam, wood, etc., a matrix, or air or other gas. The embodiment shown in FIG. 5 employs a hollow ball which is self-supporting in an embodiment, but which in another embodiment of the invention is supported by internal compressed air.

In particular FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional side view of a hollow ball device 500 according to an alternative embodiment of the invention. The shell 501 may be a flexible cover as in a traditional ball, or may be a rigid sphere, in either case being externally formed to have the indicia of an ordinary basketball as shown in FIG. 1, i.e., having a grippable texture and a plurality of seams, as in all embodiments. The shell 501 has an empty interior space 502 except for the air therein. The shell 501 is of sufficient strength and rigidity to accept and support a plurality of bezels and/or washers 503. These in turn accept an attachment ring 504, for attachment to a resistance machine. There exist numerous different sizes of basketballs in use today, and the invention encompasses balls of any size matching that of an actual basketball, whether junior, full-size or otherwise.

FIG. 6 is a schematic showing an example deployment and use of the devices shown herein. In particular, the ball device 600 is attached via its attachment ring 601 to a carabineer 602 or other attachment point, and hence to a cable 603. The cable 603 tracks over a pulley 604 and is redirected to a weight stack 605. The weight stack 605 may be adjustable to adjust the amount of force needed to push the ball device 600 downward. The weight stack 605 may alternatively be a series of selectable flex rods or other resistance mechanism.

It will be appreciated that a new invention has been described above; however, the scope of patent protection is governed by the attached claims. The terms “a” and “an” and “the” and similar referents in the context of describing the invention (especially in the context of the following claims) are to be construed to cover both the singular and the plural, unless otherwise indicated herein or clearly contradicted by context. The terms “comprising,” “having,” “including,” and “containing” are to be construed as open-ended terms (i.e., meaning “including, but not limited to,”) unless otherwise noted. Any recitation of ranges of values herein is merely intended to serve as a shorthand method of referring individually to each separate value falling within the range, unless otherwise indicated herein, and each separate value is incorporated into the specification as if it were individually recited herein. All methods described herein can be performed in any suitable order unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. The use of any and all examples, or exemplary language (e.g., “such as”) provided herein, is intended merely to better illuminate the invention and does not pose a limitation on the scope of the invention unless otherwise claimed. No language in the specification should be construed as indicating any non-claimed element as essential to the practice of the invention.

Preferred embodiments of this invention are described herein, including the best mode known to the inventors for carrying out the invention. Variations of those preferred embodiments may become apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon reading the foregoing description. The inventors expect skilled artisans to employ such variations as appropriate, and the inventors intend for the invention to be practiced otherwise than as specifically described herein. Accordingly, this invention includes all modifications and equivalents of the subject matter recited in the claims appended hereto as permitted by applicable law. Moreover, any combination of the above-described elements in all possible variations thereof is encompassed by the invention unless otherwise indicated herein or otherwise clearly contradicted by context. 

1. A system for basketball rebound training comprising: a ball device having an outer surface having thereon basketball indicia including one or more basketball seams and a surface texture of a basketball, and being of an official basketball size; an inner cavity of the ball device; an anchor system disposed at least partially within the inner cavity of the ball device; and an attachment ring affixed to the anchor system and being further adapted for attachment to a resistance machine to provide rebound training to an athlete when the ball device is pushed or pulled downward.
 2. The system for basketball rebound training according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface is made of leather.
 3. The system for basketball rebound training according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface is made of a synthetic material.
 4. The system for basketball rebound training according to claim 1, wherein the synthetic material is rubber.
 5. The system for basketball rebound training according to claim 1, wherein the outer surface has a pebbled texture thereon.
 6. The system for basketball rebound training according to claim 1, wherein the inner cavity comprises pressurized air.
 7. The system for basketball rebound training according to claim 1, wherein the inner cavity comprises ambient air.
 8. The system for basketball rebound training according to claim 1, wherein the inner cavity is filled with a solid material.
 9. The system for basketball rebound training according to claim 8, wherein the solid material is selected from the group consisting of wood, foam, plastic, and fiberglass.
 10. The system for basketball rebound training according to claim 1, wherein the anchor system extends through the inner cavity and is visible beneath the ball, and includes a bezel or washer under the ball to anchor the anchor system.
 11. A ball training device including: an air-filled ball, wherein the air-filled ball is of an official basketball size; an attachment ring attached to the air-filled ball; and a basketball-textured outer layer on the air-filled ball, the basketball-textured outer layer including one or more basketball seams and a basketball surface grain.
 12. The ball training device according to claim 11, wherein the basketball-textured outer layer is made of leather.
 13. The ball training device according to claim 11, wherein the basketball-textured outer layer is made of a synthetic material.
 14. The ball training device according to claim 11, wherein the synthetic material is rubber.
 15. The ball training device according to claim 11, wherein the basketball-textured outer layer grain has a pebbled texture.
 16. The ball training device according to claim 11, wherein the air-filled ball is filled with pressurized air.
 17. The ball training device according to claim 11, wherein the air-filled ball is filled ambient pressure air.
 18. A system for basketball rebound training comprising: a hemispherical ball device having an outer surface having thereon basketball indicia including one or more basketball seams and a surface texture of a basketball, and being of an official basketball size; and an attachment ring affixed to the hemispherical ball device and being adapted for attachment to a resistance machine to provide rebound training to an athlete when the hemispherical ball device is pushed or pulled downward. 